Actuating mechanism for pressing machines



Jan. 17, 1933. E DAVIS 1,894,929

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR PRESSING MACHINES Filed Jan. 10, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 117, 1.233

ERNEST'DAVIS, F SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE PROSPERITY COMPANY ENG, 015 SYRACUSE, NEW. YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR PRESSING MACHINES Application filed January'lfl, 1928. Serial No. 245,774

This invention relates to an actuating mechanism for machines having an opening and closing movement as garment and laundry presses, and has for its object means by which the machine can not be closed unless both hands of the operator are employed in effecting such closing, but by which the operator may control the actuating mechanism to bring the head down into nearly closed position with one or both hands free to hold the garment or other article being pressed, but can not close the press to apply pressure without using both hands.

The invention consists in the novel features and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation, partly in section, of this actuating mechanism.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1,

25 showing a slightly modified form of the invention. I

Figures 3 and 4 are side elevations of pressing machines embodying the forms of the 1nvention shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively. This actuating mechanism for machines having an opening and closing movement as pressing machines comprises a fluld operated motor including a casing and a movable member therein, operator-operated valve means for controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from the casing, an outlet port for the motive fluid arranged to be opened by the movable part of the motor or when the movable part of the motor has been actuated a predetern'iincd distance, as when the press head has been moved to a positlon in close proximity to the buck of a presslng machine, and a normally open outlet connected in communication with said port through a suitable 5 conduit, operator operated means for closing the outlet.

The machine to which my invention is applied in the illustrated embodiment, comrO prises a head 1 movable toward and from a U buck 2 carried by a suitable table 3. The

head is carried at the front end of a yoke lever 4 which is pivoted between its ends at 5 to the frame. The lever 1 is actuated to close the. press through toggle links 6 and 7 pivoted respectively at 8 to the rear arm of the lever 4 and at 9 to the frame, and pivoted together at 10, the link 7 having a forwardly extending arm 11 to which a motor is connected. A suitable counterweight 12 and springs 13 are connected to the rear arm of the lever a andtend to open the press. Another returning spring 14 is connected to the arm 11 and also tends to open the press.

The motor here shown is of the reciprocatmg type and comprises a cylinder 15, pivoted to the frame at 16 so that it has an osczllating movement, and a single acting piston 17 movable in the cylinder and having its rod 18 pivoted at 19 to the arm 11.

As seen in Figure 1, the fiow of motive fluid as air to and from the cylinder is controlled by a combined intake and exhaust valve, the casing of which is connected in communication with the cylinder. The valves are normally arranged with the intake closed and the exhaust open, and operator-operated means are provided for operating the valve to open the intake and close the exhaust, the operator-operated means being manually operable in the form of the invention shown in Figure 1.

2O designates the valve casing and 21 an intake valve which is normally closed and 22 an exhaust valve which is normally open, these valves being here shown as reciprocating valves connected to operate as a unit. The casing is connected by a pipe or conduit 24 to the upper end of the cylinder 15, this conduit leading from the casing between the valves 21 and 22. A spring 25 tends to hold the intake valve 21 closed and the exhaust valve 22 open. The intake end of the casing 20 is connected to a supply pipe 26. In Figure 1, the valves 21 and 22 are shown in operated position, and the piston 17 as having just uncovered the port 33, to be described later. The manual means for operating the valves 21 and 22, in Figure 1, is shown as a push button 27 acting on a lever 28 pivoted at 29 and having an arm 30 thrusting lever 28, lever 31 and stem against a lever 31 which in turn thrusts against the stem 32 of the exhaust valve 22.

Upon depression 01' the push button 27, the valves will be moved to their positions shown in Figure 1, wherein the exhaust valve 22 is closed and the intake valve 21 is open so that the motive fluid is free to pass through the casing 20, and pipe 24 to the cylinder 15 and actuate the piston 17 on its power stroke.

The outlet port for the motive fluid arranged to be opened or controlled by the movable part of the motor or the piston or some part actuated thereby, when the movable member or piston has been, actuated a predetermined distance, preferably opens into the cylinder in order that the motive fluid may exhaust through the normally open outlet although this port may lead from the main line 26 or other part of the pipe system.

33 designates the portin the cylinder 15 arranged to be uncovered by the piston 17, when the piston approaches the end of its power stroke, this port communicating w'th a casing 34 on the cylinder which is connected by a pipe 35 and branch pipe 36 to a valve casing 37 having a normally open exhaust valve 38 therein which must be closed in order that the pressure may be maintained in the cylinder. The valve 38 is closed by a push button 39, similar to the push button 27, acting on a lever 40 which is pivoted at 41, and acts upon the lever 42 which in turn acts upon the stem 43 of the exhaust valve 38, in the same manner as the push button 27 acts on 32. A fiat or leaf spring 38 acts on the lever 40 to return it to its open position.

The pressure operated means for holding the valves 21, 22 and 38 in their manually operated positions is here shown as diaphragm chambers 44 and 45 having diaphragms 46 and 47 therein having sliding stems 48 and 49 which act upon spectively.

The diaphragm chamber 45 is connected to the port- 33 or to one of the conduits connected thereto by a pipe 50 which is coupled to the pipe 36. The diaphragm chamber 44 is similarly connected by a pipe 51 to the pipe 35.

The means the levers 31 and 42, re-

for releasing the pressure in the diaphragm chambers so that the valves 21, 22 and 38 can return to their normal positions comprises a valve casing 52 having a normally closed exhaust valve 53 therein, the casing 52 being connected by a pipe 54 to the pipe 51.

The exhaust valve 53 is operated by a suitable lever 55 and the exhaust valve is held against its seat by aspring 55. The lever ton 27. The valve casings 21 and 37 and the manual means for operating the valves are earned by suitable housings 56 and 57 suitably mounted on the frame 3 of the machine.

eeeeae In operation, upon the depression of the push buttons 27, the motive fiuid as air will pass from the intake pipe 26 through the valve casing 20 and pipe 24 to the cylinder and actuate the piston 17 on its power stroke to bring the head 1 down nearly on or over the buck 2. The piston 17 uncovers the port 33 permitting the air to pass out through the pipe 35 and pipes 36 and 51 to the diaphragm chambers 44 and 45. As the button 39 is depressed, the diaphragms will be actuated to hold the valves 21,22 and 38 in their operated positions. However, it the button 39 is not depressed, the air passing back through the pipes 35 and 36 will exhaust at 58 and no pressure will be applied to the head. When, however, the button 39 is depressed in conjunction with the button 27, the exhaust of air through the port 33 will be stopped and the piston 17 will complete its power stroke and bring the head 1 down on the buck 2 with heavy final pressure.

T 0 open the machine, the lever 55 is tripped permitting the air to exhaust from the diaphragm chambers, and hence the valves 21, 22 and 38 to return to their normal positions so that the air can exhaust back through the pipe 24, valve casing 20 and out through exhaust passage 59, the press opening under the influence of counterweight 12 and springs 13 and 14.

By reason of this valve mechanism, the operator can depress the button '24 with one hand while holding 2 with the other hand and the head will stop short of a position in which it would otherwise squeeze the hand of the operator. In pressing garments, it is often desirable for the operator to hold the garment on the buck until the this machineas the press can not be closed unless the operator uses two hands, but the head can be brought down to nearly closed position with aone hand operation, two hands being required to operate the 39 to finally close the press.

In Figure 2, two push buttons 60 and 61, similar to the push buttons 39 of Fig. 1 are used to operate a valve nated generally 61, similar to that operated by the push button 39, and a pedal operated valve mechanism used to operate the valve mechanism for applying heavy pressure. A pedal64 operates ,a valve mechanism designated generally 62 similar in construction to the valve mechanism operated by the push button 27 in Fig. 1. In the form shown in Figure 2, the operator can preliminarily bring the head 1 down close to the buck 2 by ste in on the edal 64 and use b th 1 l 55 is preferably grouped with the push butpp g p 0 mm S to hold the garment on the buck, but in order to close the press and apply final pressure, the operator must use both hands to operate the push buttons 60 and 61. 4

To open the press, in the form shown in last second. This can be done in buttons 27 and mechanism, desigthe garment on the buck eeaeaa Figure 2, the same kind of mechanism as mined distance,

operated by lever in Fig, 1 is used.

What I claim is:

1. An actuating mechanism for machines having an opening and closing movement, said mechanism including a fluid motor having a casing and a movable member therein, operator-operated valve means for controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from the motor to eflect the opening and closing of the machine, an outlet port for the motive fluid arranged to be opened when the movable part of the motor has been actuated a predetermined distance and the machine closed a predetermined distance, a normally open outlet valve connected to said port, and operatoroperated means for closing the outlet valve.

2. An actuating mechanism for machines having an opening and closing movement, said mechanism including a fluid motor having a casing and movable member therein, operator-operated valve means for, control-' ling the flow of motive fluid to and from the motor, an outlet port for the motive fluid arranged to be opened When the'movable part of the motor has been actuated a predetermined distance, a normally open outlet valve connected to said port, operator-operated means for closing the outlet valve, pressure operated means and a pipe connecting the same to said port, and mechanical connections between the pressure operated means and said valves.

3. An actuating mechanism for machines having an opening and closing movement, said mechanism including a fluid motor having a casing and movable member therein, operator-operated valve means for controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from the motor, an outlet port for the motive fluid arranged to be opened when the movable part of the motor has been actuated a predetera normally open outlet valve connected to said port, operator-operated means for closing the outlet valve, pressure operated means and a pipe connecting the same to said port, mechanical connections between the pressure operated means and said valves, and operator-operated means for re leasing the pressure in said pressure operated means.

4. An actuating mechanism for machines having an opening and closing movement, said mechanism including a fluid operated motor having a casing and a movable member therein, operator-operated valve means for controlling'the flow of motive fluid to and from the motor, an outlet port in-the motor casing for the motive fluid arranged to be opened to the motive fluid Within the casing when the movable member has traveled a predetermined distance, a normally open outlet connected to said port, and a normally open operator-operated valve for closing the outlet.

5. An actuating mechanism for machines having an opening and closing movement, said mechanism including a fluid motor" having a casing, a movable member therein, a combined intake and outletvalve for controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from the motor, said combined valve being normally arranged Withthe intake closed and the outlet valve open, an outlet port for the motive fluid arranged to be opened when the movable member of the motor has been actuated in the casing a predetermined distance, a normally open outlet conduit connected to said port, a normally open operator-operated valve for closingthe outlet conduit, pressure operated means for holding said valves in their operated position, the pressure operated means being connected to said port, an outlet conduit in'communication with said pressure operated means, and a normally closed operator-operated valve in the outlet conduit.

6. An actuating mechanism for machines having an opening and closing movement, said mechanism including a fluid operated motor consistingv of a cylinder and a piston movable therein, a combined intake and exhaust conduit leading to the cylinder, a combined intake and exhaust valve in said conduit normally arranged with the intake closed and exhaust valve open, manually operable means for actuating the combined valve to open the intake and close the exhaust, the cylinder being provided with a port arranged to be uncovered by the piston as the piston approaches the end of its'power stroke, a normally open exhaust valve, a conduit connecting the normally open exhaust valve with said port, and manual means for closing the exhaust valve.

7. An actuating mechanism for machines having an opening and closing movement, said mechanism including a fluid operated motor consisting of a cylinder and a piston movable therein, a combined intake and exhaust conduit leading to the cylinder, a combined intake and exhaust valve in said conduit normally arranged with the, intake closed and exhaust valve open, manually operable means for actuating the combined valve to open the intake and close the exhaust, the cylinder being provided with a port arranged to be uncovered by the piston as the piston approaches the end of its power stroke, duit connecting the normally open exhaust valve with. said port, manual means for closing the exhaust port, pressure operated means for holding said valves in their manually operated position, the pressure operated means being connected to the conduit leading from said port, and a normally closed manually operable exhaust valve connected to the lastmentioned conduit leading from said port.

8. In combination in a pressing machine a normally open exhaust valve, a conto supplyjworking fluid to the cylinder to.

position; a norma having an opening and closing movement, power actuating mechanism therefor including a cylinder, a piston movable therein, operator operated valve means for controlling the flow of motive fluid to actuate the piston, a conduit having a port controlled by the movement of the piston to release the pressure in the cylinder after the piston has traveled a predetermined distance, a normally open exhaust valve in said conduit and operating means to close said exhaust valve.

9. In combination in a pressing machine having an opening and power actuating mechanism therefor including a cylinder, a piston movable therein, operator-operated valve means for controlling the flow of motive fluid to actuate the piston, a conduit having a port controlled by the movement of the piston to release the pressure in the cylinder after the piston has traveled a predetermined distance, a normally open exhaust valve in said conduit operable to close said conduit, means tending to restore the valve means position, means controlled by the. movement of the piston for locking the valve means in its operated position, and operator operated release means for the valve means.

10. A garment or laundry pressing machine including in combination cooperative pressing elements; operating mechanism for moving one of said pressing elements with respect to the other to close the press with a two-step operation; means for supplying working fluid to'the operating mechanism including a working fluid supply conduit; an exhaust conduit; a part included in the .operating mechanism for normally cutting o the flow of working fluid from the supply conduit to the exhaust conduit but movable into position with the closing of the press so that the flow of working fluid from the supply conduit to the exhaust conduit is no longer cut ofi and operator-operated means to close the exhaust conduit so that the press will close into-final position. I

11. 111 a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements and operating mechanism therefor includingacylinder and piston motor means operate the press into preliminary closed 11y open exhaust coriduit connected to a port m the wall of the cylinder in position to be uncovered by the piston at substantially the time that .the press reaches preliminary closed position: valve means for closing the exhaust conduit; and a pair of manuals, spaced apart to require the use of both hands bythe operator, for operating the valve means.

12. An actuating mechanism for machines having an opening and closing movement, said mechanism including a fluid motor having a casing and a movable member therein, operclosing movement,

to its original ator-operated valve means for controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from the machine to effect the opening and closing of the machine; normally closed exhaust means for the motive fluid connected to the motor and controlled in its opening by the movement of the movable part of the motor; a normally open outlet valve connected to said exhaust means; and operator-operated means for closing the outlet valve.

13. A pressing machine including in combination cooperating pressing elements one of which is movable toward and from the other, a motor for actuating the movable element comprising a cylinder and a piston movable in the cylinder, motion transmitting connections between the piston and the movable element, a feed line, valve means for controlling the flow of motive fluid from the feed line to the cylinder and the exhaust of motive fluid from the cylinder, means holding said valve means normally in a position in which the cylinder is closed to the intake and open to the exhaust of motive fluid, operator-operatedmeans for operating the valve means to open the cylinder to the intake of motive fluid and close the same to the exhaust of fluid, means controlled by the closing movement of the press when the piston has traveled a predetermined distance on its power stroke to maintain a predetermined low pressurein the cylinder less than full pressure whereby the movable element remains in a predetermined closed position short of fully closed position, and additional operator-operated render the predetermined low pressure maintaining means ineffective whereby the press is closed under full pressure.

14. A pressing machine including in combination cooperating pressing elements one of which is movable toward and from the other, a motor 'for actuating the movable element comprising a cylinder and a piston movable in the cylinder, motion transmitting connections between the piston and the movable element, a feed line, valve means for controlling the flow of motive fluid from the feed line to the cylinder and the exhaust of motive fluid from the cylinder, means normally in a position in which the cylinder is closed to the intake and open to the exhaust of motive fluid, operator-operated means for operating the valve means to'open valve means operable to means holding said valve the cylinder to the intake of motive fluid and additional operator-operated valve means opera'ble to render the predetermined low pressure maintaining means ineflective whereby the press is closed under full pressure, and operator releasable means for locking the additional valve means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, and in the State of New York, this 22nd day of December 1927.

ERNEST DAVIS. 

